Floods, tornadoes kill 43 in US over Christmas weekend

Several states have declared emergency due to the disastrous weather conditions.

Dec 28, 2015 11:54 IST

As many as 43 people died in the United States when floods and tornadoes hit south, southwest and midwest parts of the country during the Christmas weekend.

Eleven people were reported dead in Texas' Dallas county due to tornadoes, while flash floods claimed 13 lives in Missouri and Illinois, prompting governors of Missouri and neighbouring New Mexico to announce a state of emergency. Arkansas reported one death, Alabama two, while Mississippi reported 10 deaths and Tennessee six.

The tornadoes that hit Texas killed eight people in Garland county, injured 23 others, destroyed 39 homes in Rowlett town, and blew up power in 6,000 homes. Three were reported dead in Collin county.

"It is total devastation," Reuters quoted Garland Police spokesman Lieutenant Pedro Barineau as saying. "It is a very difficult time to be struck by such a horrible storm the day after Christmas."

"Texas is doing everything we can to help you piece your lives back together and deal with the challenges you are facing right now," said Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

In Illinois, floodwaters washed away three adults and two children who were in a car in Patoka village on Saturday night, said the Marion County Coroner Troy Cannon.

The National Weather Service meteorologist has issued tornado watches and warnings for parts of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Mississippi also issuing severe weather warnings for the central states of the US.

"Many motorists across the South Central states are facing road closures from either flooding rain or a fierce blizzard in western Texas and eastern New Mexico," said AccuWeather's Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski.

Snowfall in New Mexico and Texas has been recorded between 24-7 inches, reported Accuweather.

Flight services have also been hit as 1,100 flights were cancelled, almost half of which were headed to Dallas.

American Airlines has decided to donate $100,000 to Red Cross, Texas, to rehabilitate those affected in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, reported ABC News.